PLYMOUTH, MI — Plymouth Whalers President, General Manager and Head Coach Mike Vellucci announced the acquisition of 19-year-old center Robbie Czarnik from the Oshawa Generals in exchange for a 10th round pick and a conditional second round pick from Windsor in 2011.
Czarnik – from Washington, MI – was originally selected by Oshawa in the sixth round of the 2006 Ontario Hockey League Draft. Czarnik never played in Oshawa, opting instead to play for the National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor. In two seasons with the NTDP from 2006-08, Czarnik scored 32 goals with 27 assists for 59 points in 114 games.
Czarnik moved to the University of Michigan program in 2008 and played there through the start of this season. In all, Czarnik scored eight goals with 14 assists for 22 points in 51 games with the Wolverines.
Czarnik was selected in the third round (63rd overall) by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2008 National Hockey League Entry Draft.
“We are excited to add Robbie to our lineup,” said Vellucci. “His greatest asset is his speed and we look forward to developing him for the next level. What a great opportunity this is for Robbie to continue his education and play in the number one developmental league for the National Hockey League.”
Czarnik – who will wear number 27 – will join the Whalers for practice on Tuesday and is expected to make his Plymouth debut on Wednesday when the Whalers host the Windsor Spitfires at 7:05pm at Compuware Arena.
For information please visit www.plymouthwhalers.com
